Rules of the road

:This article concerns rules of the road regarding land vehicles; for sea-going vehicles, see International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

Countries that drive on the left

Approximately one quarter to one third of the world's traffic goes on the left-hand side of the road, a practice arising from the prevalence of right-handedness. The need to be ready for self-defence on rural roads inclined most horse-riders to keep to their left when encountering oncoming wayfarers, so as to be able to deploy a sword or other hand-weapon more swiftly and effectively should the need arise. Also, those on foot and in charge of horse-drawn vehicles would more usually hold the animals' heads with their right hand, and thus walk along the lefthand side of the road.

Related Topics:
Right-handed - Self-defence - Sword

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The first legal reference in Britain to an order for traffic to remain on the left occurred in 1756 with regard to London Bridge. The General Highways Act of 1773, contained a recommendation that horse traffic should remain on the left and this was enshrined in the Highways Bill in 1835. At one point the rule was enshrined in a piece of doggerel:

Related Topics:
London Bridge - 1773

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:The rule of the road is a paradox quite,

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:For if you keep to the left, you're sure to be right.

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The British author C. Northcote Parkinson has presented a "proof" that the British way of driving (on the left side of the road) is the natural one.

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Some ex-colonies of the British Empire continue to drive on the left, but others, such as Canada, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and the United States switched to the other side.

Related Topics:
Colonies - Canada - Gambia - Ghana - Nigeria - Sierra Leone - United States

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Apart from former British colonies, traffic moves on the left in others such as Japan, Indonesia, Ireland, Macau, Mozambique, Thailand and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well.

Related Topics:
Japan - Indonesia - Ireland - Macau - Mozambique - Thailand - U.S. Virgin Islands

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